Cutting or Ripping?

I was wondering about rotary mowers Vs. reel type mowers. When a rotary mowers blade strikes grass, isn't it really just wacking it so fast and hard that it "rips" it? Granted, the sharper the blade, the better the "rip" will be.

On the other hand, a reel type mower provides a true "cut". Like the action of sissors, less fray on the ends of the grass blade after you mow over it.

I own a couple of reels that we only use on our hybrid bermuda lawns. I was just considering the science of the cut. There is no way I'd give up my rotery mowers. I really don't even like using the reels, but they really make a smooth lawn look good.

Originally posted by Gene Simmons I was wondering about rotary mowers Vs. reel type mowers. When a rotary mowers blade strikes grass, isn't it really just wacking it so fast and hard that it "rips" it? Granted, the sharper the blade, the better the "rip" will be.

On the other hand, a reel type mower provides a true "cut". Like the action of sissors, less fray on the ends of the grass blade after you mow over it.